Services Offered

Services provided:

• Assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of minor illness and injury
• Diagnosis of medical conditions
• Diagnostic tests (i.e. strep screen, COVID-19 test, mono test, urinalysis, pregnancy, blood sugar)
• Sexual health education (contraceptive counseling, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections testing, and emergency contraception)
• Prescriptions for medications, when appropriate
• Additional/seasonal vaccination clinics including, but not limited to those for influenza and COVID-19
• Tuberculosis screening
• Initial evaluation and treatment for mental health conditions with possible referral to psychiatrist and/or therapists
• Physical exams for uninsured/underinsured students
• Free health promotion and reference materials on a variety of health topics (weight reduction, nutrition, smoking cessation, fitness, and stress reduction counseling)
• Health and wellness promotion/programming (Kohawk Wellness Program/Fitness Programs, Refresh Sleep Program, Self-Care Station, etc.)
• Medical referrals as necessary for ongoing or specialty care
• Assistance with understanding/obtaining health care coverage

If X-ray or other imaging studies are indicated, students will be referred, likely to either St. Luke’s Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, Physicians Clinic of Iowa Imaging, or Radiology Consultants of Iowa in Cedar Rapids. Students must take insurance cards and/or other self-pay options.These services are not paid for by Coe College.

Medications and Health Care Supplies:

A limited selection of over‐the‐counter medications such as throat lozenges, decongestants, antihistamines, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antibiotic ointment, and antacids are available in Health Services in addition to surgical masks, bandages, hand sanitizer, menstrual products, hot/cold packs, and soaking basins. Condoms, dental dams, and lubrication are also available to all students, free of charge. Crutches and wheelchairs are available through a free check-out process. Please note, selection and supplies may not meet all student needs. For ongoing supplies and products, students are encouraged to keep and supply personal health kits to meet individual needs.

Hospitalization:

If a student should require hospitalization, these costs are not covered by Coe College. Each student is responsible for their own expenses for care.

Parents are notified of the hospitalization of a student by the college if the student is under 18 years of age, is unconscious/incapacitated, or gives their consent for such notification. Parents are not notified of a student’s hospitalization by the college if the student is over 18 years of age and does not wish for parent notification. Students are highly encouraged to communicate with parents/ family in the case of hospitalization or other emergency care.

Insurance:

Coe College does not offer medical health insurance policies for domestic students. Students should review their individual insurance plan to be certain they have coverage in the Cedar Rapids area and know the procedures for utilizing insurance. Students with out of state or out of network insurance coverage are encouraged to call the insurance provider’s customer service number to see what coverage is available in the area. Some plans allow for in-network coverage or reduced fees for out of state students enrolled full time.

All students should carry some form of medical insurance. Students without health insurance or that are underinsured, may have options for free or sliding fee scale services. For assistance in obtaining or understanding private or public insurance plans available, call or email Health and Wellness staff at wellness@coe.edu or 319.399.8843.

Confidentiality:

All health records are maintained confidential and securely filed. Information is released only when a student's permission is given by written consent, including to parents/guardians. With the exception of the following:

• Under 18 years of age: According to Iowa law, students that are 17 years or younger, must receive permission from parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to receive medical care, treatment, or services, and they have the legal right to be informed about treatment. However, Iowa law also states that students under the age of 18 do not require 43 parental/legal guardian consent for the following health care services: contraceptive services, emergency care, HIV/AIDS care, non-medical services, sexually transmitted infection services, substance abuse treatment, tobacco cessation services, sexual abuse or assault related medical and mental health services.
• Suicidality/homicidality: When there is a reasonable suspicion or evidence that you are at imminent risk of attempting or completing suicide or homicide, or if you describe yourself to health and wellness staff your nurse or counselor as being at such risk, Coe College will take action to protect your safety and the safety of others. In these circumstances and/or in situations where the health and wellness staff member is legally obligated to break confidentiality and seek outside assistance, student privacy will be maintained to the extent possible. Sometimes this will require breaking confidentiality.
• Emergency care: If emergency medical or mental health care is required, Coe College will provide relevant information about you to those involved in accessing and providing your care.
• Compelling professional reasons including but not limited to; reports of child, elder or dependent adult abuse.(Please note that if you are 17 or younger, your parent(s) or guardian must give permission for you to receive health and mental health services, and they have the legal right to be informed about your treatment.) There are some limits to confidentiality, but they occur only in extreme situations:

Prescription Medications:

Students should bring an adequate supply of their prescription medication. For controlled substances (ADHD medications, anti‐anxiety medications, etc.), it is highly recommended that the student obtain a lock box for storage of these medications.

Prescriptions written for students by Health Services staff can be filled at any pharmacy in the area, with the closest located within walking distance at the First Avenue Hy-Vee Pharmacy. Other pharmacies in the area include CarePro, Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Target.

The Iowa Drug Card is a free discount prescription assistance program for all Iowa residents, accepted at all major pharmacies, and applies to generic and name-brand medications. Click here to print an Iowa Drug Card.

Special Health Needs:

If at any time a student would like to review the contents of their medical records, contact Health Services staff.

Students are encouraged to inform Health Services of any special health condition or needs. If desired, consider informing roommate(s) and/or Resident Assistant of health needs (e.g., diabetes, seizures, asthma, etc.). Students needing accommodations for a health condition should reach out directly to the Accessibility Office within the Learning Commons.

Dietary Restrictions & Other Needs:

Provisions can be made through Sodexo Food Service for students who have dietary restrictions. Students may also call Sodexo Food Services at 319.399.8648.

COVID-19 Information:

At this time, Coe community members are no longer required to report positive COVID tests to college staff. All Coe community members are urged to speak with their healthcare provider and follow CDC guidelines in regards to procedures/isolation should they test positive. The CDC has an isolation calculator that can be used as a tool in addition to their current isolation guidelines. Should any questions arise, our Health Services staff are happy to help and can be reached at o-healthservices@coe.edu. 

In addition, contact tracing at Coe is now the responsibility of the COVID-positive individual and college staff are no longer monitoring or enforcing any contact tracing/close contact protocols. Should any close contacts have questions or concerns, they can reach out to o-healthservices@coe.edu.

Class Excuse Policy:

Coe College Health Services does not provide students with medical excuses for short-term absences from classes, labs, athletic events, college performances, exams or any sort of deadline due to illness, injury, or appointments in Health Services. This policy, which has been in place since 2011, not only frees up staff time and appointment slots for those in need, but it also places the responsibility of communication in the hands of students.

​​​​​Students should contact their professor(s), coach(es), or supervisor(s) directly concerning short-term absences. In the event of long-term illness/injury, students may choose to communicate with Accessibility Services to receive appropriate documentation regarding absences.